Food

New Corn Product Offers Farmers Simplicity And Convenience

Posted: 6/8/2011

Biotech and refuge seed are blended in each bag of a new corn product that farmers in the Corn Belt can plant across their entire field, eliminating the need for a separate insect refuge.

(NAPSI)—Nearly 15 years after insect-protected biotech corn was introduced, farmers now have a new, simpler option for insect refuge management. Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™ corn is being welcomed by farmers as a major technology advancement that offers greater convenience and time savings.

This refuge-in-the-bag product blends 95 percent trait-protected seed for broad-spectrum above and below ground insect control with 5 percent refuge (non-Bt) seed in each bag. It is the first “single-bag” approach for insect- resistance management, eliminating the need for a separate structured refuge in the Corn Belt.

“This advanced technology greatly simplifies refuge management because it eliminates the need for farmers to purchase trait and refuge seed separately or change seed during planting,” said Matt Kirkpatrick, Monsanto corn traits marketing manager. “And with a 5 percent refuge, the lowest in the Corn Belt, farmers can also maximize their whole farm yield opportunity.”

Genuity SmartStax RIB Complete corn had a limited introduction this spring in portions of the Corn Belt, with a full launch planned for the 2012 growing season. Commercialization is pending individual state authorizations and notifications, as required. Pending regulatory approval, Monsanto is also planning to introduce Genuity® VT Double PRO™ RIB Complete™ corn for the 2012 growing season. It is designed to deliver the same refuge management benefits, providing control of above ground pests for farmers in parts of the central and southern Corn Belt, where corn rootworm is less of an issue.

For more information, farmers can contact their seed representative or visit www.genuity.com. Always follow IRM, where applicable, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. ©2011 Monsanto Company.